The Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast by Marcus Luer
Episodes
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
Patrick Murphy, "From Dublin to Taking Over Asian Football"
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
Patrick Murphy's fascinating career path, took him from selling door to door Junk Mail in Dublin to working in Newscorp in Hong Kong, TEAM Marketing in Switzerland and back to Hong Kong to now managing one of the largest Sports IP in Asia, the Asian Football Confederation’s commercial rights through his new partnership (FMA). Great stories and lots of insights into the future of Asian Football.
Key Highlights
Getting started by selling Junk Mail in Dublin after school (1984-85) – door to door sales
His decade in the TV world, from ITV in the UK to Star TV in Hong Kong (Newscorp) in the 90s
Murdoch’s focus on Sports – creating Sports Corp inside a broadcaster (ESPN-Star Sports) – creating IP
Journey back to Europe, joining TEAM Marketing in Switzerland (exclusive agent of UEFA Champions League)
UEFA Champions League – billion dollar property – sponsorship & media deals
UEFA taking a stake in TEAM eventually
International Champions Cup (ICC) – created in the US by a US real estate billionaire (Stephen Ross)
Top European Clubs playing against each other in the US and globally instead of the old format of playing local teams during the summer window
FMA (Football Marketing Asia, previously DDMC Fortis) – the start of a new huge venture, taking over AFC (Asian Football Confederation commercial rights)
Leveraging his TEAM (UEFA) experiences and confidence that they can pull this off
Offer to work with AFC on an exclusive basis as one key differentiator & offering top Dollars (knowing that this will win or lose it) and playing the China card right
DDMC (Listed company in China) background and their reason for entering the partnership (through Super Sports)
Let’s talk numbers, deal size in the range of US$ 2.4 billion for the next 8 years (accept a premium was paid)
And how FMA is planning to make it back and reason FMA was willing to pay the premium
How to deal with the changes in the broadcast landscape and current climate
Key will be “go local” , develop local heroes and drive up value of local Football rights vs international rights
Media, Digital, structure of media rights, packaging and marketing it
Sponsorship, important part, closer to 50% of revenue – leveraging virtual technology
FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, Asia Cup in China in 2023, FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/NZ in 2023 – big opportunities to showcase Asian Football to the world
Hand over from Lagardere Sports and building a team to get started Jan 1, 2021
About
Over 30 years' experience working in sports media and marketing. Currently a Board Member and Chief Executive Officer at Football Marketing Asia. Patrick previously founded Catalyst Media Group (International Champions Cup) and Synergy Sports (CBF, CONMEBOL) and was formerly Managing Director, TEAM Marketing in Europe responsible for selling media and sponsorship rights for the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
About Football Marketing Asia Limited (formerly DDMC Fortis Limited)Football Marketing Asia (FMA / 亚洲足球商业开发有限公司), is the exclusive commercial partner of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the rights cycles 2021-2024 and 2025-2028. Headquartered in Hong Kong, and with offices in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and China, FMA combines unparalleled globalfootball experience with in-depth Asian know-how and expertise. Formerly known as DDMC Fortis, FMA has quickly become known as Asia’s leading football marketing agency delivering unprecedented value for fans, media partners and sponsors. The focus of the company is on one thing and one thing only: Asian football. It embraces the many obvious and subtle differences and needs in the markets in Asia and delivers tailored solutions for commercial partners and fans of AFC National Team and Club football.
-----------------------------------------------If you are enjoying the Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast (SEP) series, check out our Virtual Sports Entrepreneurs University (SEU) too.
The Sports Entrepreneurs University is a natural extension of the Podcast series. It's a deep dive into the world of Sports & Esports. Marcus will be sharing his 25 years of experience and learning as a Sports Entrepreneur and connecting the dots. It's a 6 weeks course with an opportunity to join an Affiliate Partnership program after. For more information HERE-----------------------------------------------Follow us on our social sites for the latest updatesInstagram: https://lnkd.in/ferKA6NFacebook: https://lnkd.in/fw7Z_9hLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/fVQzNj5Website: https://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.com/university-----------------------------------------------Feel Good by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_feel-goodMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/bvgIqqRStcQ
Saturday Oct 24, 2020
Razlan Razali, "From Hosting F1 To Leading A MotoGP Team"
Saturday Oct 24, 2020
Saturday Oct 24, 2020
Dato Razlan Razali is living his childhood dream from running Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for over a decade, hosting F1 and MotoGP races and turning the loss-making facility into a sustainable business to turning his passion for motorcycling into being the Team Principal of the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Race Team which is taking MotoGP by storm the last two seasons and is on the verge of winning the Championship. Listen, learn and be inspired by his stories on how to build a successful Racetrack and how those learnings helped him to create a very successful MotoGP racing team.
Key Highlights
His career start, selling his first company, starting a concert company with his brother and his first job interview for the CEO role of Sepang International Circuit (SIC) which didn’t go so well. Persistency paid off and he became the CEO of SIC in 2008, few weeks before the MotoGP race.
Early days at SIC, he inherited a mess and had a culture shock, rolled up his sleeve and started to make changes.
Starting to charge for everything in and around the track to generate new revenues. More professionalism and commercialization was the key.
Turn SIC into a multi facet venue - “a ballroom under the sky”.
Hosting Formula 1 at SIC stories, his first meeting with Bernie Ecclestone, again didn’t go so well……
2009 the first F1 race under his leadership, made changes, focus on what’s best for SIC and Malaysia and disregarding F1 and the arrogance of F1 teams.
Till the end, it was never a happy marriage with F1, race became jaded, nothing new and was eventually dropped.
MotoGP was the opposite, Dorna’s Carmelo Ezpeleta was open to all his ideas and wanted to do more, the growth and success of the race since then is proof.
Very vocal when F1 race was dropped, “even given for free, Malaysia would not host F1 race”, Reuters headline worldwide.
Revealing the fee SIC paid to F1 and the reasons why the Prime Minister of Malaysia asked him to get out.
MotoGP success stories, how it all started, creating local heroes by starting a young rider search, academy and having wild card riders in Moto3 (125cc category).
Created the first SIC Moto3 team in 2015, challenge taking riders from “Kapcai” racing on the streets of Malaysia to a full fledge racing machine in Europe (money, motivation and mindset).
Lots of talented local riders in terms of skill but most lacking mental strength.
First Season in MotoGP in 2019 – lady luck played a role – stories of how it all started – his childhood dream came true.
Petronas played a key role in taking over a financially struggling MotoGP team.
How he found “Fabio” (Quartararo) – stroke of luck and how he came out blazing from the start and winning “Rookie of the Year” award, first podium till leading standing now.
His thoughts on winning the MotoGP Championship this year – original target was to just win the “first” race (which they did with the first & second race of the season).
Superhumans – stories of his riders dealing with crashes.
Valentino Rossi – the Doctor is joining the team in 2021 – the story behind it (and Fabio leaving to Yamaha Factory team).
MotoGP “bubble”, how it’s working, SOPs, rules, regulations and restrictions – importance of team talks.
His prediction for the Championship with four races to go.
His final thoughts on the future of Motorsports after Covid – difference between F1 and MotoGP.
About
Dato Razlan Razali is a dynamic and highly successful Senior Executive with extensive high-level successes across a wide variety of industries, including world-class event management. First-class leadership skills with excellent marketing and sponsorship development experience in both national and international arenas. Consistently aims for the highest standards on a personal and corporate level. Proven ability to generate innovative growth strategies for successful and profitable companies.
Major Achievements
Sepang International Circuit receives Training Support Excellence Award 2016 at the BSI Client Appreciation Night by BSI Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Sepang International Circuit was awarded Project Owner of the Year Award 2016 at Shell Bitumen Technical Conference & Customer Appreciation Dinner by Shell Malaysia.
Sepang International Circuit was awarded the Global Branding Award 2016 in theGlobal Brands Icon in Motorsport by Global Brands Council.
Sepang International Circuit receives Utusan Business Award 2015 in the category of Sports Entertainment Sector.
Sepang International Circuit was awarded the Best Event Management Company for Excellence at the rAWr Awards 2015 by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCeb) and the Malaysia Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS).
Sepang International Circuit received the Bronze Award in the Corporate Branding category at the Malaysia PR Awards 2014/2015.
Sepang International Circuit was awarded for its excellence in the Industry Class in Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (“MICE”) in the State of Selangor, Malaysia in 2014.
Sepang International Circuit received OHSAS 18001:2007 certification in 2013.
Sepang International Circuit received the Best Grand Prix Award in 2012 for Malaysia MotoGP by the International Road Racing Team Association (“IRTA”)
Sepang International Circuit awarded Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor 2012.
Sepang International Circuit received ISO 9001:2008 certification in 2011.
Sepang International Circuit was awarded the coveted Facilities Improvement Plan Fund in 2010 by the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (“FIA”).
Masterminded the creation and development of Pineapple Concerts (a successful Malaysian events management company); led the organisation, promotion, marketingand sponsorship of large-scale sell out events, including huge concerts by major international artistes the Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire and Kanye West.
Championed and led the first mobile e-tickets programme in Asia.
Successfully raised USD6 million in capital investment for WAP Portal Sdn Bhd from a listed Malaysian company and a listed company from Singapore, convincing both companies to invest based purely on a concept presentation with no physical product, which clearly demonstrates high level influencing/negotiation skills.
Consistently worked at Board Level as Director, Non-Executive Director and on the Audit and Remuneration Committees for a major mechanical and electrical service public listed company, Bintai Kinden Corporation Berhad.
-----------------------------------------------If you are enjoying the Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast (SEP) series, check out our Virtual Sports Entrepreneurs University (SEU) too.
The Sports Entrepreneurs University is a natural extension of the Podcast series. It's a deep dive into the world of Sports & Esports. Marcus will be sharing his 25 years of experience and learning as a Sports Entrepreneur and connecting the dots. It's a 6 weeks course with an opportunity to join an Affiliate Partnership program after. For more information HERE-----------------------------------------------Follow us on our social sites for the latest updatesInstagram: https://lnkd.in/ferKA6NFacebook: https://lnkd.in/fw7Z_9hLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/fVQzNj5Website: https://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.com/university-----------------------------------------------Feel Good by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_feel-goodMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/bvgIqqRStcQ
Friday Oct 16, 2020
Robert Müller von Vultejus, "From UFA, Lagardere To SPORTFIVE Again"
Friday Oct 16, 2020
Friday Oct 16, 2020
Robert Müller von Vultejus has been on the forefront of Sports Marketing for decades, as would appear in many different companies, but in reality, these groups were often an “iteration” of previous legacy businesses. Operating for 25 years from Hamburg, Germany, Robert gives us a great inside look into all the companies and is now one of the key executives to take Sportfive 2.0 back to its glory days globally. Listen to his fascinating career and stories across UFA Sports 1.0, Sportfive 1.0, Lagardere, UFA Sports 2.0 to now Sportfive 2.0 again.
Key Higlights
Robert's start into the industry, studied Sports Management in Bayreuth, while studying and DJ-ing started his first agency
UFA Sports 1.0, in Hamburg, his boss Bernd Hoffman, ownership by Bertelsmann Group/RTL - the old Media Rights arbitrage game, buy/sell rights
Merger of UFA Sports with Sport + (Sports marketing arm of Canal+) and Jean Claude Darmon (French sports marketing group) – new group called Sportfive, managing the German and French culture - lasted a few years and was sold again to Advent (US PE Group). Opportunity for management to participate in deal.
New focus on “Comprehensive Marketing” of 25 Football Clubs in Europe
Different models of upfront guarantees and other facilities to clubs and rights holders – mostly internally funded based on EBIT of Euro 90-100 mil
Next sale to Lagardere Group (French again) for EURO 860 million (US$ 1 b) - good move from a shareholder point of view, but company culture suffered (entire senior management left)
UFA Sports 2.0, starting again with the team that left Lagardere Sports and found RTL as investors again
New way of working with rights holders, open book, more transparent way – helped to grow the new business , starting in 2008 during the global financial crisis
Sold UFA Sports 2.0 to Lagardere Sports (RTL was looking to exit, change in strategy) - initially Lagardere was black listed until discussion with Philipp Hasenbein changed the view
Lagardere, where did it all go wrong. Multiple reasons ……. And Recently sold for a fraction of the original value to HIG Capital
Sportfive 2.0 (after the purchase by HIG Capital), reason to go back to the old name, 1,000 strong team with offices in Germany and across Europe, US, Asia
Focus on Selling, still strong portfolio across the regions from rights representation to talent business and consulting
Strong believe that the Agency business is still very important in the ecosystem but a new approach is needed
Sportfive in Esports – RIOT Games tournaments in Europe, T1 from Korea
Career highlights and worst moments
His view on sports going forward after Covid and during the pandemic
About
Robert Müller von Vultejus, born in 1969, graduated in sports economics at the University of Bayreuth in 1994. He started his professional career at UFA Sports GmbH as a manager in media rights marketing in the same year. From 1997 to 2002, Müller von Vultejus was responsible for the European football business as a member of the management board. In 2001, UFA Sports was renamed Sportfive and Müller von Vultejus was appointed Managing Director with responsibility for the German business.
In December 2007, Robert Müller von Vultejus left the Sportfive Group and in 2008, together with former high-ranking Sportfive managers, he founded a startup company named UFA Sports, later renamed U!Sports GmbH. The start-up was bought by the Lagardère Sports Group in 2015 and became part of the global network of Lagardère Sports and Entertainment. In addition to his role as Managing Director of Lagardère Sports Germany, Robert Müller von Vultejus continued to be Managing Director of U!Sports and moreover was responsible for the European Business Development Unit of Lagardère Sports and Entertainment. In April 2020, Lagardère Sports and Entertainment was sold to H.I.G. Capital.
In 2020, Müller von Vultejus has been appointed Chief Growth Officer (CGO) and is one of four members of the Executive Committee of the international sports business agency SPORTFIVE. Müller von Vultejus is a family man, plays tennis and has a preference for fitness, nutrition and cooking. He is married, father of four children and lives with his family in Hamburg.
-----------------------------------------------If you are enjoying the Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast (SEP) series, check out our Virtual Sports Entrepreneurs University (SEU) too.
The Sports Entrepreneurs University is a natural extension of the Podcast series. It's a deep dive into the world of Sports & Esports. Marcus will be sharing his 25 years of experience and learning as a Sports Entrepreneur and connecting the dots. It's a 6 weeks course with an opportunity to join an Affiliate Partnership program after. For more information HERE-----------------------------------------------Follow us on our social sites for the latest updatesInstagram: https://lnkd.in/ferKA6NFacebook: https://lnkd.in/fw7Z_9hLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/fVQzNj5Website: https://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.com/university-----------------------------------------------Feel Good by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_feel-goodMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/bvgIqqRStcQ
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Chris Pepe, "Road to LA28"
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Chris is sharing stories of his illustrious career from being a founding executive member of Major League Soccer, to working at FIFA World Cups and Olympics at the client-side with Yahoo and VISA which has led him to his current role as the Chief Commercial Officer of the LA 2028 Olympics and the US Olympic & Paralympic Properties. With eight years out, it’s a long and interesting road ahead.
Key Highlights
Accidental entry into sports, not the typical lawyer career path. Doug Logan, a client and first Commissioner of Major League Soccer got him involved in the new League
Working at the MLS – with industry Tycoons from Lamar Hunt, Phil Anschutz and Bob Kraft and Alan Rothenberg. From Team names to Venues, tickets, etc starting from scratch
Credit to founders for keeping the League alive to the big success it is now
Yahoo Days, dot com era. Yahoo became Partner of FIFA on 9/11 (announcement on the fatal day) and Chris’s role, FIFA World Cup in Japan/Korea
Premier Partnerships, joining Randy Bernstein who left Yahoo and started the agency
A decade at VISA, transition from Agency to Client-side. Lots of “internal selling” vs external. Olympic and Rugby sponsor at the time. Not yet with FIFA
First VISA involvement at FIFA World Cup in South Africa 2010. Massive issues in the transition between Mastercard and VISA prior to it.
Why is VISA in Sports – growth of VISA brand is directly lined to Olympics. Pass through rights for Banks is key.
FIFA deal, target to reach a different consumer base than Olympics. More Debit card focused than Credit Card. First World Cup, huge success.
Marcus & Chris 1984 LA Olympics stories
LA 28 – The story behind the LOGO and MARKS
Eight Years out – first focus is TEAM USA and develop a long term story for brands
Elevator pitch – key is to empower brands, drive engagement, drive brands business – co-creation
Talking Numbers, US$ 2.5 billion target in sponsorship. US$ 7 billion overall budget
Balancing act between IOC Global partners and local partners
Tokyo learning and how to work with partners – extension without any additional fees
Learning/Lessons from his career – don’t take yourself to seriously and don’t let the job get into your head (teamwork matters)
About
Chris Pepe is a seasoned sports business executive leading commercial negotiations, property and team management, market activation and business development. As the Chief Commercial Officer for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties (USOPP), the joint venture between LA28 and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Pepe is responsible for marketing and selling rights for LA28 and Team USA from 2021 through 2028.
Prior to USOPP, Pepe was Head of Strategic Partnerships for Visa International’s North American Product Division. During nearly 10 years there, he held various leadership positions including Head of U.S. Sports & Entertainment Partnerships and Global Head of FIFA/Football Management in Visa’s Worldwide Sponsorships and Partnerships group. In these roles, Pepe managed many of Visa’s multi-million dollar sports investments and led many of the company’s global sports and lifestyle strategies.
In addition to his career at Visa, Pepe has developed business strategies for a variety of sports and entertainment properties, including the first-ever global sales network at Yahoo! and Premier Partnerships when in its startup phase. He began his career in sports as a founding executive member at Major League Soccer (MLS).
Pepe received his B.A. and J.D. from Villanova University and is a cited expert in trusted sport business outlets including Sports Business Daily, Sportcal and Inside the Games.
-----------------------------------------------If you are enjoying the Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast (SEP) series, check out our Virtual Sports Entrepreneurs University (SEU) too.
The Sports Entrepreneurs University is a natural extension of the Podcast series. It's a deep dive into the world of Sports & Esports. Marcus will be sharing his 25 years of experience and learning as a Sports Entrepreneur and connecting the dots. It's a 6 weeks course with an opportunity to join an Affiliate Partnership program after. For more details HERE-----------------------------------------------Follow us on our social sites for the latest updatesInstagram: https://lnkd.in/ferKA6NFacebook: https://lnkd.in/fw7Z_9hLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/fVQzNj5Website: https://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.comhttps://marcusluer.com/university-----------------------------------------------Feel Good by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_feel-goodMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/bvgIqqRStcQ